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Helpful Articles - Supply Chain

Port BackupsA record-breaking number of ships waiting to dock at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. A record-breaking number of ships waiting to dock at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. read more Stranded ContainersA record-breaking number of ships waiting to dock at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  Big retailers chartering dedicated vessels to bring stranded containers of goods over from Asia. read more Price IncreasesA record-breaking number of ships waiting to dock at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Cargo prices anywhere from five to eight times higher than a year ago. read more That’s the current state of the global ocean freight industry....

Innovation drives supply chain optimization. As you’ll see in the profiles of these six forward-thinking companies, fresh ideas can create new efficiencies, solve persistent problems, and open the door for new opportunities in supply chain effectiveness.   We’ll look into the latest advances in logistics hardware, software and strategy. Plus, a peek at what’s coming down the road in the industry. You may discover some new ideas to power your own supply chain—or you may get inspired to create innovations of your own!  Attabotics: Reimagining the Warehouse  read more Inspired by the efficiency and structure of ant colonies, Attabotics is using robots to take the warehouse in a new dimension: up.  What if you could reduce the footprint of a warehouse from 1.5 million square feet to just 340,000—and...

If you don’t work in freight or logistics, you might not think much about how the everyday products we rely on get to the shelf. However, if you do work in the industry, you likely have an appreciation for the intricate dance between suppliers, manufacturers, carriers, and retailers that ensures we have everything we need to live, work, and play.   That said, it’s challenging to appreciate the full magnitude of the industry, the sheer volume of goods that get moved, and the impact on the global economy. Below, you’ll find 12 surprising statistics that reveal just how huge the freight and logistics industry really is, both in size and importance. (In fact, some of them might even surprise veterans of the industry!)  0%of international goods estimated to move by sea...

With more than 80% of international goods estimated to move by sea, ocean freight fuels our global economy.i In fact, the industry has been on a long-term track to growth, with volume nearly tripling since 1990.ii  Since ocean freight is clearly here to stay, many have become concerned about its environmental impact. The industry faces several challenges along the road to sustainability, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  However, thanks to advances in green technology, many shipping companies are successfully reducing their environmental footprint.   Whether you’re a company looking to embrace sustainability or simply curious about sustainability, we’ll give you a run-down of the latest green tech solutions for ocean freight. While some have become established practices, others are still in development—truly on the cutting edge of “what’s next” for the shipping...

Sustainability has become a hot topic in the world of logistics and supply chain management. Some companies embrace this value for ethical reasons.   Others are leveraging sustainability measures to appeal to consumers, who are increasingly aware of environmental practices. In fact, a recent Forrester study published in Forbes revealed that 32% of U.S. consumers “prioritize companies that are actively reducing their impact on the environment.”i   Finally, many companies are pursuing sustainability measures to stay compliant with regulations. For example, the International Maritime Organization’s low-sulfur mandate required many companies to reduce sulfur oxide emissions by changing fuels or adopting new technology. One of the trends we’re seeing in sustainability is a move toward liquified natural gas (LNG)-fueled ships....

Although last year’s scramble for household items has mostly passed, supply chain challenges continue to crop up in 2021. The backup at US ports, semiconductor chip shortages, and other supply issues have affected industries across the board. Even national chains like Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A are feeling the pinch.  We’ve seen our customers face several supply chain challenges of their own this year, and we’ve helped them create solutions that kept their businesses moving forward. To share some of these solutions with you, we called on our Approved experts who have been navigating supply chain issues alongside our clients. Below, you’ll find their top tips for surviving the supply chain challenges of 2021.  #1: It Might...